What is CKYC number? How to find and use your CKYC number in India

What is CKYC? Is there a CKYC number? Let’s find out!

Every time a customer does any of these the same identity and address proofs are submitted and verified:

• Opens a new bank account
• Invests in a mutual fund
• Buys insurance
• Subscribes to other regulated financial services

This duplication can waste time, increase operational cost for institutions, and increase the risk of clerical errors or inconsistent records. A centralised approach to KYC or CKYC can reduce this duplication and streamline customer onboarding across the regulated financial ecosystem.

What is CKYC and why is it a game-changer?

Central KYC (CKYC) Registry is a government-mandated central repository of verified customer KYC records for the Indian financial sector. When a customer completes CKYC, the central registry issues a unique CKYC identifier (commonly referred to as a CKYC number) that links to the customer’s verified identity and address documents.

The CKYC framework is designed to be interoperable across banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, stockbrokers and other regulated entities, thereby eliminating the need to re-submit the same documents at every new onboarding. The registry and its operating guidelines are published and maintained through authorised portals and the designated central registry.

How to find your CKYC number

If you have already completed CKYC in the past, your CKYC number is a single, authoritative reference you can locate in several practical ways. 

Below are the commonly used methods that financial customers and intermediaries rely on:

1. Check communications from the reporting entity

Financial institutions (reporting entities) normally share the CKYC number with customers by SMS, email, or in the account welcome letter once the registry issues the identifier. 

You can review old emails, SMS messages, or physical documents related to the account or financial product you opened.

2. Use the CKYC portal’s ‘Get KYC Card’ / search facility

The official CKYC portal provides a facility to fetch the CKYC card or check CKYC details after verifying your mobile number and identity fields. Many customers can request the CKYC card link and receive it via SMS once authentication is completed on the portal. 

This is the most direct source for the central registry’s record.

3. Bank or asset-service provider channels (mobile app / netbanking / branch)

Most banks and mutual fund platforms display the CKYC identifier on the customer profile page in mobile apps or internet banking. 

If you cannot find it online, the branch or customer-care team can retrieve your CKYC number after verifying your identity.

4. Registrar/Transfer Agent and intermediary portals

Mutual fund registrars, stockbrokers and agencies such as Protean eGov Technologies Ltd. frequently provide a CKYC lookup by entering PAN or other validated identifiers. 

These portals can show the CKYC number linked to the PAN or investor profile.

5. Phone or missed-call services offered by some banks

A few banks have set up simple phone or missed-call services that return the CKYC identifier to the registered mobile number. 

You can check whether your bank offers such a facility in its support documentation or on its website.

How to use your CKYC number in India

A CKYC number is primarily a portability and convenience tool. 

Here are the principal uses and best practices for customers and financial professionals:

1. Quote CKYC when opening new financial relationships

When you open a new bank account, purchase a mutual fund, buy insurance or open a demat account, provide your CKYC number to the reporting entity. The entity can fetch your verified KYC record from the central registry instead of asking you to submit the same documents again.

2. Faster onboarding and fewer document uploads

Using the CKYC number accelerates onboarding because the receiving institution can rely on the registry’s verified data. This is especially helpful for digital onboarding flows such as Video-KYC and Aadhaar-based eKYC, where the CKYC record removes the need for multiple manual checks.

3. Interoperability across regulated sectors

CKYC was conceived so that different regulators for different financial institutions like RBI (for banks), SEBI (for securities), IRDAI (for insurance) and PFRDA (for pensions) can accept a single verified KYC reference. 

This can significantly lower friction when customers move between services controlled by different regulators. 

Several regulator and industry updates have reinforced simpler onboarding pathways that rely on centralised KYC records.

4. For institutions: integrate CKYC via APIs and vendors (example: Protean)

Financial institutions can integrate CKYC lookup and submission into their systems through authorised API providers and service integrators. 

Market vendors such as Protean eGov Technologies can offer CKYC API integration and plug-and-play solutions for reporting entities to send and receive KYC requests to the central registry. 

Integration can reduce manual reconciliation and helps institutions stay compliant with registry operating guidelines.

Conclusion

The CKYC number is a practical, regulatory innovation that reduces repetitive KYC steps across India’s financial system. CKYC can improve customer experience and operational efficiency. 

For customers, the immediate benefits are speed and convenience. Similarly, for institutions, the benefits are lower cost, higher data consistency and improved compliance. 

As digital onboarding (video KYC, Aadhaar eKYC) and registry integrations continue to mature, the CKYC number will remain a key instrument for seamless financial inclusion and onboarding. Get in touch with Protean eGov Technology to explore Protean CKYC solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a CKYC number?
   A CKYC number is the unique identifier issued by the Central KYC Records Registry after your KYC details are uploaded and verified.
2. How many digits is the CKYC number?
   The CKYC identifier issued by the registry is a 14-digit number linked to your KYC record.
3. Is CKYC mandatory?
   CKYC is mandatory for new customers of regulated financial entities. Existing customers may be asked to complete CKYC when interacting with new regulated products.
4. Can I update my CKYC record?
   Yes. If your address, name, or other KYC details change, notify the reporting entity to update and resubmit the KYC to the central registry.